Page 54 of Merciless Queen
She sank into my touch and her breathing evened out. “I can feel him on my skin. Make it stop, please.” I reached for the pink loofah and poured my lavender vanilla body wash on the puff, gently scrubbing her skin. “I want to stop hurting.”
“He can’t hurt you, princess.”
She scoffed. “He already hurt me. Ten years’ worth of trauma wrapped up in a pretty bow. Please don’t let me go. I know you don’t really like me, but I feel safe with you.” My heart tugged in my chest as I kissed her temple.
“I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. I’m Vincenzo’s whore. In his sick twisted mind, he loves me. He’s obsessed.”
“He won’t ever touch you again. I am going to kill him for you, princess.”
She laughed bitterly. “Vincenzo is a cockroach. He can’t be killed.”
“Come on. Let’s get you out of this shower and into the bed.”
After we dried off and slipped into baggy t-shirts, I brought her to my bed. She was holding onto me with a death grip. When Lena came into my room, I couldn’t move out of the way for her to check on Harlow’s injuries, so I pulled her into my lap so Lena could examine her.
“What happened?”
She wiped her face against my chest and sighed. “I smelled cigar smoke. I-It smelled like the ones he smokes. It triggered a flashback. H-He had a cigar between his lips, and he blew the smoke in my face. It was suffocating, but while I choked from the smoke, he shoved his cock down my throat. I felt trapped. I couldn’t move or breathe. I wanted to find you, but I couldn’t move.”
“Do you want a sedative to help you sleep?”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t like how it makes me feel. Caterina makes me feel safe and grounded. Being with her will help.”
Lena looked at me and nodded. “Okay. Cat, can I talk to you before you settle in for the night?”
“Lay down, princess. I'll be back in a second.”
When we stepped into the hallway, I closed the door, and Lena crossed her arms across her chest. I was about to be lectured.
“What are your intentions with her? Because obviously she really likes you.”
I grumbled. “Lena, I don't think that is any of your concern. What is it with you and Serena questioning what I do?”
“That girl has been through too much for you to play with her emotions. She is trusting you, and I’m sure she’s going to fall in love with you. I know your viewpoints on love. Ever since your father lost your mother, he’s been an asshole.”
“You know if he heard you saying that, he would shoot you.”
Lena rolled her eyes. “Please. I’ve been here since you were a baby. Dug out multiple bullets from your father and his men. He’s an asshole now. Careless and heartbroken. Love isn’t a weakness. It is beautiful.”
“Why is everyone so worried about what I do with this girl? It’s not like I am going to tie her up in my basement and have myway with her. I’m protecting her. I am saving her from a worse monster than me.”
“All I am saying is don’t be afraid to love the girl.” I glared at her. “Please. I changed your diapers when you were a baby. I know you, Cat. I know you have a heart buried under all that macho mafia crap your dad taught you.”
“Goodnight, Lena. I’m going to go take care of my wife now.”
CHAPTER 43
Harlow
Rose and sandalwoodinvaded my senses as I woke up, curled into a warm body as gentle snoring filled the room around me. My eyes fluttered open, and I realized I was lying halfway on top of Caterina, my hand on the skin of her torso. The blanket shifted sometime last night and her waist was exposed, showing me her curves and the V of her hips, and then I realized we were both naked. How did I get here and out of my dress? I remembered the wedding, but everything else was a blur.
Caterina shifted in her sleep, pulling me into her, causing her knee to slip between my legs and hit my center. I groaned and she immediately woke up, thinking something was wrong. “What’s wrong?”
“N-Nothing,” I stuttered, adjusting my hips. “Can we?”
She smiled sleepily, arching her brow. “If I didn't know any better,bellissima, I’d say you are trying to seduce me.”
